Uniform Convergence and integration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of a theorem related to uniform convergence of functions and integration. Participants explore the conditions under which the theorem holds and the logical structure of its contrapositive, particularly focusing on the continuity of functions involved.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the non-equality of integrals implies that the sequence of functions is not uniformly convergent.
  • Another suggests that continuity of the functions may not be essential for the theorem to hold, proposing that integrability and uniform convergence are sufficient conditions.
  • Several participants engage in discussing how to properly negate the statement regarding continuity and the closed interval, indicating ambiguity in defining the terms.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for misinterpretation when defining the statement A, with emphasis on the importance of clarity in logical deductions.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the implications of their choices in defining statement A, highlighting the subjective nature of such definitions.
  • Another asserts that there are no inherently right or wrong choices for defining A, but stresses the importance of understanding the implications of those choices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of continuity in the theorem, and there is no consensus on how to approach the negation of statement A. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best way to define and interpret these logical statements.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity in how participants define the continuity and domain of the functions involved, which affects their logical deductions. The discussion also touches on the potential for misinterpretation when establishing logical statements.

angryfaceofdr
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What can I conclude using the following theorem?

Let the functions [tex]u_n (x)[/tex] be continuous on the closed interval [tex]a \le x \le b[/tex] and let them converge uniformly on this interval to the limit function [tex]u(x)[/tex]. Then

[tex] \int_a^b u (x) \, dx=\lim_{n \to \infty} \int_a^b u_n (x) \, dx[/tex]

Can I conclude that if [itex]\int_a^b u (x) \, dx \neq \lim_{n \to \infty} \int_a^b u_n (x) \, dx[/itex], then the sequence of functions [itex]u_n (x)[/itex] is NOT uniformly convergent on the interval?

-Also what is the contrapositive of the above theorem? (I am confused on how to negate [itex]P[/itex]=" Let the functions [itex]u_n (x)[/itex] be continuous on the closed interval [itex]a \le x \le b[/itex] and let them converge uniformly on this interval to the limit function [itex]u(x)[/itex]." )
 
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If you get confused by logic, then try to assign symbols for different statements, and reduce the problem to a simpler form. If you know

[tex] A\quad\textrm{and}\quad B\implies C[/tex]

then you also know

[tex] \textrm{not}\; C\implies (\textrm{not}\;A)\quad\textrm{or}\quad(\textrm{not}\;B)[/tex]

Your example is slightly more confusing than it would need to be, because continuity of [itex]u_n[/itex] is not highly essential. If [itex]u_n[/itex] and [itex]u[/itex] are integrable, and [itex]u_n\to u[/itex] uniformly, then

[tex] \lim_{n\to\infty} \int\limits_a^b u_n(x)dx = \int\limits_a^b u(x) dx.[/tex]

Substituting [itex]A[/itex] to be the knowledge that [itex]u_n[/itex] are all continuous, [itex]B[/itex] to be the knowledge that [itex]u_n\to u[/itex] uniformly, and [itex]C[/itex] to be the knowledge that the limit and integral commute, might bring some clarity.

I would also set [itex]D[/itex] to be the knowledge that [itex]u_n[/itex] and [itex]u[/itex] are integrable. Then

[tex] B\quad\textrm{and}\quad D\implies C[/tex]

and

[tex] A\quad\textrm{and}\quad B\implies D[/tex]

(additional comment: I just realized that if [itex]u_n[/itex] are integrable and if [itex]u_n\to u[/itex] uniformly, then probably [itex]u[/itex] is integrable too, but I'm not 100% sure of this right now. It could be that some parts of my response are not the most sense making, but I think there is nothing incorrect there anyway.)
 
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How would you get [tex]\neg A[/tex]? Do you negate closed and the interval as [itex]a>x>b[/itex]?

Or in other words,

" Assume the functions [tex]u_n (x)[/tex] are not continuous on the not closed interval [tex]a > x > b[/tex]"?
 
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angryfaceofdr said:
How would you get [tex]\neg A[/tex]? Do you negate closed and the interval as [itex]a>x>b[/itex]?

I would keep the assumption that the functions are of form [itex]u_n:[a,b]\to\mathbb{C}[/itex] untouched, and only let [itex]A[/itex] concern the continuity.

It should be recognized that there is true ambiguity in questions like this. If I declare that [itex]u_n[/itex] will always have the domain [itex][a,b][/itex], and then state that [itex]A[/itex] means that [itex]u_n[/itex] are all continuous, than [itex]\neg A[/itex] will simply mean that [itex]u_n[/itex] are not all continuous. This is what I meant originally.

Alternatively one could state that [itex]A[/itex] means that [itex]u_n[/itex] all have the domain [itex][a,b][/itex] and that [itex]u_n[/itex] are all continuous. Then [itex]\neg A[/itex] would mean that [itex]u_n[/itex] don't all have the domain [itex][a,b][/itex] or that [itex]u_n[/itex] are not all continuous.

You must know yourself what you mean by [itex]A[/itex], before asking what [itex]\neg A[/itex] is.
 
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jostpuur said:
I would keep the assumption that the functions are of form [itex]u_n:[a,b]\to\mathbb{C}[/itex] untouched, and only let [itex]A[/itex] concern the continuity.


How does one know when to do this?
 
jostpuur said:
You must know yourself what you mean by [itex]A[/itex], before asking what [itex]\neg A[/itex] is.

My fear is what if I "choose" the wrong statement A like I did in post #3? How would I know what the "right" statement is?
 
There are no right or wrong choices for [itex]A[/itex]. What matters is that you know what you have chosen.

Once [itex]A[/itex] has been fixed, there can be right or wrong deductions, however.

(There was a movie where somebody said something like "there's no right or wrong decisions. What matters is that you dare to make a decision". It could be this is slightly off topic, though.)
 

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